RUGBY2/14/2016 3:58 PM | By: Cal Athletics
Anderson, Gletzer Make USNT Test Debuts
AUSTIN, Texas – Former co-captains Jake Anderson and Alec Gletzer made their international test debuts Saturday, joining fellow former co-captain Eric Fry as the U.S. National Team defeated Canada, 30-22, at Round Rock's Dell Diamond in the Americans Rugby Championship.
Anderson and Gletzer became the 46th and 47th Golden Bears to earn international honors, joining with Fry to increase the all-time total of appearances by former Bears on the U.S. National Team to 683.
“We're really happy for Jake and Alec, and not surprised by their early recognition and success,” said Cal head coach Jack Clark. “They're both top men, great teammates and talented athletes, and USA vice captain Eric Fry is the perfect person for them to learn from and from which to model their test careers.”
Anderson, who started for the United States at fullback, ended his Cal career with a sudden-death overtime try to give the Bears their third title in Olympic 7s at the 2015 Collegiate Rugby Championship. He was a two-time All-American in both 15s and 7s as a Bear and graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Gletzer, who entered the match in the second half, was a four-time All-American in 15s during his collegiate career and was also tabbed a 7s All-America honorable mention following Cal's 2015 CRC title. He received a double degree from the University in Geography and Society & Environment.
Fry started Saturday at loosehead prop and served as a vice captain in his 36th international appearance. A professional player for the Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership, Fry graduated from Cal in 2010 with a degree in Economics and earned four All-America honors as a collegian.
A rebroadcast of the USA-Canada match can be seen Sunday at 6:30 PT on ESPN2 – check your cable listings to confirm the time of the airing in your area.
The U.S. team has three more matches in the ARC competition, beginning with Chile next Saturday, Feb. 20, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., followed by Brazil on Feb. 27 in Sao Paolo and Uruguay on March 5 in Montevideo.